“If what I said wasn’t true, no one could challenge me because on this subject they are as ignorant as I am.”

-Graciano Lopez Jaena-

“I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.”
-ate coring

"Present your case," says the Lord. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob. Isaiah 41:21

What is debate?
A debate is a contest, or, perhaps, like a game, where two or more speakers present their arguments intent on persuading one another. Men have been debating with one another since the beginning of time when the serpent first debated with Eve the benefits of eating certain fruits in the Garden. We shall limit ourselves here with discussing formal contest debating between educational institutions, or, in the world of homeschooling, between families that choose to bypass educational institutions and educate their children at home.
Debate
"Present your case," says the Lord. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob. Isaiah 41:21
What is debate?
A debate is a contest, or, perhaps, like a game, where two or more speakers present their arguments intent on persuading one another. Men have been debating with one another since the beginning of time when the serpent first debated with Eve the benefits of eating certain fruits in the Garden. We shall limit ourselves here with discussing formal contest debating between educational institutions, or, in the world of homeschooling, between families that choose to bypass educational institutions and educate their children at home.
Why debate?
"He [the student debater] learns to use a library, and to find the exact information he needs in the shortest possible time. He learns to be thorough and accurate. He learns to analyze; to distinguish between the vital and the unimportant. He learns the need of proving his statements; of supporting every statement with valid evidence and sound reasoning—and he learns to demand the same sort of proof for the statements of others. He learns to present ideas in a clear and effective manner, and in a way which wins others to his way of thinking. He learns to think under pressure, to "use his head" in a time of need, to make decisions quickly and accurately. In a word, the essential point in any debating situation is that of convincing the listener that your side of the proposition is desirable." (from How to Debate by Harrison Boyd Summers)
John Stuart Mill, in his Autobiography, said, "I have always dated from these conversations [in a discussion group similar to the ideal debate squad meeting] my own inauguration as an original and independent thinker."
"I think debating in high school and college is most valuable training whether for politics, the law, business, or for service on community committees such as the PTA and the League of Women Voters. A good debater must not only study material in support of his own case, but he must also, of course, thoroughly analyze the expected argument of his opponent. The give and take of debating, the testing of ideas, is essential to democracy. I wish we had a good deal more debating in our educational institutions than we do now." John F. Kennedy, August 22, 1960
"I truly believe I would have been as prepared for law school had I simply debated and not attended college at all. I have found that the practice of law—and I assume this is true of a large number of other jobs—consists basically of trying to solve problems in an organized manner.... Debate... placed a premium on the factors that I believe are essential to effective problem solving, including...breaking an argument down into its smallest components and then marshaling factual data...for each element;...talking a problem through with others over a period of time that a contention or issue becomes fully perceivable;...verbally articulating ideas rather than just having a mental conception of them;...and, finally, and perhaps most importantly, coming to appreciate the stresses and rewards of competition." Raoul D. Kennedy, Attorney in San Francisco
"Debate trained me to analyze and articulate the complex national issues that confront our country today. Too, it was a tremendous help in campaign debates for my House and Senate seats... My intercollegiate debate training was the most valuable experience that I had at Penn State. I derived benefits from it far beyond the normal extracurricular activity that it encompassed." Richard S. Schweiker, Former Pennsylvania Congressman and Senator, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services
"If it is a disgrace to a man when he cannot defend himself in a bodily way, it would be absurd not to think him disgraced when he cannot defend himself with reason in a speech." Aristotle from The Rhetoric
"The wisest advice I can give to persons considering debate as an activity is: "participate." In my opinion, hour- for-hour, the reward for time spent debating is greater than any other activity available to the typical student... In addition to the "academic" benefits, potential participants should be alerted to the life-long friendships they will develop, the opportunity to associate with competitive, creative and bright young people, as well as the favorable view of the activity taken by potential employers (particularly in the field of law)." Thomas F. Hozduk, Los Angeles Attorney
"I didn't make varsity cheerleader. I thought my life was over. I ended up joining the speech team instead. And within a year, I became real good. My event was Girls Extemporaneous Speaking. They would give you a topic, and a half-hour later you made a seven-minute speech on it...By my senior year, I was state champion. And I made it to the semifinals of the national competition. The six girls who were ranked ahead of me are probably all arguing cases before the Supreme Court...So I did find out my limitations. But in my smaller pond, I was a big fish. And I can't imagine better preparation for what I do today." (BTW, one of Jane Pauley's teammates is now a homeschooling mother) Jane Pauley, National TV News Anchor
"It was my experience with debating and public speaking in both high school and college that led me to become a lawyer, and ultimately, a member of Congress." Paul E. Kanjorski, Pennsylvania Congressional Representative
Debate is the ultimate mind exercise.
How to Get Started in Debate
There are two things you will have to study if you want to participate in debate: 1. The principles of debate—logic, evidence, case construction, proof, refuting arguments, rebuttal, the brief, etc. Pick 3 or 4 debate books out of the debate bibliography located elsewhere on this web page and study them thoroughly (I especially recommend An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate by Christy Farris). View the debate video put out by Home School Legal Defense (watch it several times). Observe as many debates as you can. This will be difficult for some, but you might look into attending some college debates or government high school debates or private school debates. The more you observe and study the more familiar you will become with the procedures and terminology of debate. 2. The current debate topic. Each year there will be a different topic. It is best if you can start studying in June the topic for the coming school year. Studying the current debate topic is the most important part and the most time consuming part of debating. You must study the subject thoroughly, to learn all that is to be known about it. The more time and effort you give to preparation, the more effective debating you will do. The following are a few ideas on how to approach the study of ANY debate topic. Some of this information is taken from How to Debate by Summers, Whan, and Rousse.
We suggest that you follow these four steps: 1. Read for background information about the subject. 2. Prepare a comprehensive bibliography. 3. Collect as much material as you can find. 4. Read and study the material discovered.
We will discuss each of these four steps in detail.
1.Read for background information about the subject.
First you want to get a good general knowledge of the proposition (topic) you are to debate. You need to study the historical background of the topic and why this topic is a matter of current interest. The reading order should be from the general to the specific, from background to present-day facts and figures, from books to magazines to newspapers. Naturally, in studying a question one will use all of these sources more or less concurrently, but for real understanding of the broader aspects one needs background material early in his research.
The Reference Department of your library would be a good place to start. There are several sources you can consult for general background material. We will just mention a few: * The Encyclopaedia Britannica * The New International Encyclopedia * The Social Science Encyclopedia (provides a broad coverage of the social sciences) * The International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences * Facts on File (a weekly world news digest with index) * Editorials on File (twice-monthly newspaper editorial survey with index) * Chronicle of the 20th Century (a compilation of newspaper articles, headlines, captions, chronologies, pictures, and cartoons that tells the history of the 20th century in America) * Current textbooks on your topic
Dave Morgan, a homeschooling Dad in Fresno, California, suggests interviewing a college or university professor who specializes in the topic you are studying. Call the history, political science, chemistry, etc. departments at your local college or university and ask if there is anyone with an interest or specialty in your topic. It would be beneficial to interview several people in order to obtain a wide range of opinions and views on your topic.
We suggest you read one general book that would take the affirmative position on your topic and one general book that would take the negative position. In this way you will have a broad understanding of both sides.
We also suggest you subscribe to a good daily newspaper. Keeping up with current events is very important to good debaters.
2.Prepare a comprehensive bibliography.
The second step in your study of topic will be that of preparing a general bibliography. A bibliography is a list of books, pamphlets, magazine articles, and other printed materials in which information may be found on a given subject. Excellent bibliographies on many subjects have already been compiled. If a bibliography on your topic is available you should try to obtain it. The major sources of published bibliographies are: * Bibliographies loaned to libraries: Library of Congress, Bibliographical Division, Washington, D.C. * Bibliographies available for purchase: * Bibliographies included in books prepared especially for debaters:
You will also need to prepare your own bibliography to supplement these prepared bibliographies. Your bibliography will include: * Books and Pamphlets
To find books relevant to your topic you can do a keyword search at your library (consult Subject Headings for suggestions on keywords). Other sources are: Subject Guide to Books in Print (books from Books in Print are rearranged under subject headings), * Magazine Articles
Search using the computer or use Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. Check the Alternative Press Index (periodicals from a certain side of the political spectrum), the Social Sciences Citation Index, Congressional Digest (each issue is devoted to a single important question currently before Congress and consists of pro and con materials), Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (journal that covers several controversial topics) * Encyclopedias, Dictionaries and other reference works
Who's Who in America
Statistical Abstract of the U. S.
Statesman's Yearbook * Court opinions * Newspaper Articles * Government Sources
1. One should write one's representative and senator early in the season requesting all available materials on the current topic.
2. Special agencies. Among the most useful of these are:
The Library of Congress, U.S. Office of Education, Government Printing Office * Internet Sources * Debate Handbooks * Private Sources and Personal Interviews
Examples of this would be: American Medical Association, the AFL-CIO, The Foundation for Economic Education, the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Many others are listed in the World Almanac.
We have found it useful to work on preparing your bibliography while at home using the internet. If possible log onto the card catalog of your local library (or a university or college library if possible) and do your research in the unhurried atmosphere of your own home. The WWW is also a valuable source for preparing your bibliography.
3.Collect as much material as you can find.
After you have listed all the references you can find on the topic, you must then get as much of the actual material as you can.
4.Read and study the material discovered.
After you have secured all of the material available, you will then read and study carefully the books and articles you have found. Try to learn as much as you can about the subject and to get the points of view of as many different authorities as possible. Be on the lookout for new ideas and new suggestions for arguments, arguments on both sides of the topic. Look for specific items of evidence, which might be used as proof. Take careful notes as you read. We will discuss how to take notes next.
WIKIPEDIA
Debate or debating is a formal method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion. Though logical consistency, factual accuracy and some degree of emotional appeal to the audience are important elements of the art of persuasion, in debating, one side often prevails over the other side by presenting a superior "context" and/or framework of the issue, which is far more subtle and strategic.
In a formal debating contest, there are rules for people to discuss and decide on differences, within a framework defining how they will interact. Informal debate is a common occurrence, the quality and depth of a debate improves with knowledge and skill of its participants as debaters. Deliberative bodies such as parliaments, legislative assemblies, and meetings of all sorts engage in debates. The outcome of a debate may be decided by audience vote, by judges, or by some combination of the two. (Of course, this implies that facts are based on consensus, which is not factual.) Formal debates between candidates for elected office, such as the leaders debates and the U.S. presidential election debates, are common in democracies.
The major goal of the study of debate as a method or art is to develop one's ability to play from either position with equal ease.
Debates are sometime organized for purely competitive purposes, particularly at the US high-school level, but also in other English-speaking countries.
How to Speak Your Mind
Steps
1. Don't worry about how people react if you say what's on your mind. You have to understand that you are a citizen and you have the right to say what you want to say. You have the freedom of speech. 2. Deal with people who are intimidating . Really, whenever someone glares at you, glare back and say what you have in mind. People can't just stare at you and expect you to be quiet, they don't own you. If someone looks at you and tries to intimidate you, make eye contact to show you're not afraid. 3. Remain calm. It is important not to let your emotions take over entirely. Remember that this is just a conversation, and people will see you better if you speak calmly and slowly. 4. Don't shout. Yelling doesn't make people hear you any better. In fact, it can cause them to tune you out. 5. Speak clearly and make yourself heard, but you don't need to yell, just speak loud enough to let people hear your voice. Say exactly what you have in mind. 6. Practice speaking your mind around your friends and family, they are the ones you have to start doing it with. Even when the most simple things are going on, such as deciding if you and your friends are going to the mall or to the theatre, or what do you want to eat for dinner, whatever, participate in it, say what you want and what you think it's better. 7. Believe in yourself! If you believe what you have to say is important, others will too.
Tips
* Practice speaking your mind and expressing yourself with your family, then with a group of friends, then with everyone. * Speak up when you feel like, but remember to respect other people's opinion too - they have the right to have their own opinions. * Be Yourself ;)
Warnings
* DO NOT let anyone intimidate you, if someone tries, stay strong. * Don't be too harsh about everyone, yes say what you really think but sometimes theres a line, don't cross it! Why are Debates important? |
Debate is extremely important to our survival as a civilized world. Talking about issues and trying to figure out how to solve them, not only makes the World go round, make people smarter(reading, writing and researching are its core parts), and makes it easier for us to handle issues when they arise, but it has also been used for millennia as a way of passing on and changing cultural norms, laws and even mindsets. So even if YOU aren't a debater,(though most of the highly influential people in our universe, are or have been), it is very important that debates happen in many different settings.
My personal experience has been how having policy debate in urban cities across the Nation have finally given bright students the tools they need to be more successful, I was a debater in high school with a full ride debate scholarship to a prestigious four year university and am now a middle school teacher, debate coach and entrepreneur. I am not saying that all of this wouldn't have happened without debate, but it definitely made it easier...like the motto from the debate camp, I attended every summer in high school.." Life is hard, it's harder when your stupid"..don't be stupid, debate....and if my answer isn't enough, I decided to ask the students at the 2010 B'MORE Summer DB8 camp, why they thought debate was important, here's what they had to say:

"It teaches you critical thinking skills. It opens you up to different aspects of the world." ~Corey Lacey

"Debate teaches you how to think outside of the box, and how to stand up for yourself without resorting to violence. It also improves your speaking skills, helps you get along with your friends better and you meet smart like-minded people like yourself. It builds leaders that will make these decisions."Takia Wicks

"With debate, I can express my opinion, meet new people, but the most important reason, I think its important because I can prove people wrong with the power to back it up using only my words. That's power..." ~Phil Allen, Rising 9th grade debater

"I use debate as a tool to fight the stereotypical views of African American males..." ~
Khalil, Rising 9th grade debater

"Debate builds a strong mind." ~Matheno Frazier-Bey, Camp Staff, Towson University debater

"Inherently it's not and historically has caused more harm than good. But this community {Balitmore urban community} is looking for change. It wants to be able to use debate as a tool for liberating the people of this community not dominating them. Debate has really become a tool of change, and it that case, is extremely important.
~Spilly, Camp Staff, Hoop Revolution creator

" Debate is the best hope for saving ourselves." ~ Chris Baron, Camp Director

Whether or not , you agree with these statements, think their staged or just think they are wrong, my only advice would be to try it. Debate someone in your neighbor about an issue that the community can solve and develop solution, then act them out...the conversation is only the beginning...debate is an important tool for activism and that's why it's important to me

The Purpose and Benefits of Debate
One of the main purposes of debate in the Buddhist training is to help you to develop decisive awareness (nges-shes). You take a position and then your debate partner challenges it from many points of view. If you can defend the position against all objections and you find that it has no logical inconsistencies and there are no contradictions, you can focus on that position or view with totally decisive awareness that cannot be shaken. We also call this state of mind firm conviction (mos-pa). You need to have this convinced awareness and firm conviction when meditating single- mindedly on any topic, such as impermanence, the equality of self and others, regarding others as more precious than oneself, bodhichitta, voidness, and so on.
Further, debating provides a situation more conducive than meditation for beginners to develop concentration. The challenge of your partner in the debate and the influence of having classmates listening force you to concentrate. When meditating alone, only willpower brings you to stop mentally wandering or falling asleep. In addition, on the monastic debate grounds many debates take place very loudly next to each other. This also forces you to concentrate. If the debates around you distract you or cause you to be annoyed, you are lost. Once you develop concentration skills on the debate ground, you can apply them to meditation, even to meditating in noisy places.
Moreover, debate helps to develop your personality. You cannot remain shy and still debate. You must speak up when your opponent challenges you. On the other hand, if you are arrogant or become angry, your mind is unclear and, inevitably, your partner defeats you. At all times, you need to maintain emotional balance. Whether you win or lose, the debate provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the "I" that is to be refuted. When you think or feel "I have won; I am so clever," or "I have lost; I am so stupid," you can recognize clearly the projection of a solid, self- important "me" with which you are identifying. This is the "I" that is a pure fiction and to be refuted.
Even when you prove to your debate partner that his position is illogical, you need to remember that this does not prove that you are the smarter one and that he is stupid. Your motivation must always be to help your partner to develop clear understanding and firm conviction in what can be logically proven.

Benefits of Debate

Students Benefit: * 61% increase in critical thinking skills * 25% improvements in literacy rates * 95-99% college matriculation rates among at risk students * Over 150 colleges and universities actively recruit urban debaters for admission and scholarships * Urban debaters in most cities have high school graduation rates above 90% (national avg. 72%)

Teachers Benefit:
A school system with roughly 10,000 teachers and a turnover rate of 20% would save approximately $500,000/year by reducing turnover by 1 percentage point. Debate increases teacher retention as they watch students develop critical thinking skills before their eyes. They reconnect to the mission that first attracted them to education.

Colleges & Parents Benefit:

Only 32% of all students leave high school qualified to attend four-year colleges. When urban debate leagues informs parents that debaters receive millions in scholarships just for debating, they see new options for their children. More than 150 colleges offer debate scholarships. Universities use urban debaters to diversify their entering classes with promising students from neighborhoods they cannot access normally.

School Districts Benefit:

Creating positive culture is a key component of building district-wide norms of academic excellence. Reaching just 5% of students with the UDL model has driven schools to add AP courses, upgrade their libraries, and expand their educational objectives for all students. Debate works. It’s why debate was required in every school district for decades.

Communities Benefit:

High school graduates live longer, have better general health and are less likely than high school dropouts to use publicly financed health insurance programs. If the 18-year-olds who failed to graduate had advanced one grade, it would save nearly $2.3 billion in publicly financed medical care, aggregated over a lifetime.

The Nation Benefits:

1.2 million students fail to graduate on time costing the nation more than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes. For every city where debate flourishes, their earning potential increases exponentially, saving billions.